Europe’s largest science festival unveils 2018 programme in landmark year

Eilidh Dunnet, James Thomas and Emily Raemakers from the festival team celebrate the launch (Ian Georgeson/Edinburgh International Science Festival/PA)

Published:08:14Wednesday 07 February 2018

The world’s longest-running science festival will explore the wonder and diversity of life on this planet – and further afield – in its milestone 30th year.

The Edinburgh International Science Festival is making Life, the Universe and Everything Else its theme for its outing in 2018, the year in which the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s famous early sci-fi novel Frankenstein is being celebrated.

Overall, the festival’s newly-launched programme features almost 270 events for families and adults in more than 30 venues in the Scottish capital.

The events, at what organisers describe as Europe’s largest science festival, include discussions, workshops, performances, screenings and exhibitions.

Highlights include a large outdoor exhibition at The Mound, backed by EDF Energy, on low carbon technologies.

Families can take part in events at the City Art Centre, Summerhall and hands-on workshops at the National Museum of Scotland.

Meanwhile, a series of events focused on food returns, with, among other things, Bake Off finalist Andrew Smyth exploring baking in space.

A project entitled Busking Bikes will take science to communities across the city including Muirhouse and Leith.

Creative director Amanda Tyndall said: “This year’s festival is a celebration of life, our existence and of the potential that science offers us as individuals as well as for the planet.

“As always, we deliver this through an incredible programme of hands-on experiments, thought-provoking discussions, dynamic performances, events and exhibitions; all designed to show how important and central science is to shaping and living our lives and inspiring the problem solvers of tomorrow.

“It’s our 30th festival this year and we appreciate the privileged role we have in delivering not only the world’s longest-running science festival but one of the highlights on the city’s annual calendar of events.”